Tag: Virtual Storytime

Storytime: Mahogany L. Browne reads WOKE: A Young Poet’s Guide to Justice

Storytime: Mahogany L. Browne reads WOKE: A Young Poet’s Guide to Justice

A great read-aloud for National Poetry Month! Author Mahogany L. Browne gives a read-aloud performance of WOKE: A YOUNG POET’S GUIDE TO JUSTICE, written by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood; illustrated by Theodore Taylor III; foreword by Jason Reynolds.

Woke: A Young Poet’s Guide to Justice is a collection of poems to inspire kids to stay woke and become a new generation of activists.

 
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Praise for WOKE:
★ “Read it; gift it; use it to challenge, protect, and grow.”—Kirkus, starred review

★ “An important book that demands to be seen. It adds to the conversation of #OwnVoices and speaks to a young person’s need for expression and social justice.”—School Library Journal, starred review

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Download a free National Poetry Month poster featuring artwork from WOKE and find more poetry books here.

Watch more author storytime videos here.

Storytime: Stacy McAnulty reads Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years for Earth Day!

Storytime: Stacy McAnulty reads Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years for Earth Day!

“Hi, I’m Earth! But you can call me Planet Awesome.” Celebrate Earth Day with a special storytime reading by author Stacy McAnulty of Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years!

 
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Stacy McAnulty’s fact and fun-filled Our Universe picture book series invites children to explore our solar system from the points-of-view of the celestial bodies that hang out among the stars. These charming and humorous “autobiographies” are beautifully illustrated by such artists as Stevie Lewis and David Litchfield.

Mars! Earthlings Welcome (Our Universe, Volume 5)
coming in 2021!

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Find more books for celebrating Earth Day here.

Find more author storytimes here.

Storytime: Lindsay Lackey reads ALL THE IMPOSSIBLE THINGS

Storytime: Lindsay Lackey reads ALL THE IMPOSSIBLE THINGS

Author Lindsay Lacked reads Chapter 1 of her middle grade debut All the Impossible Things and answers three questions about writing the book.

Visit LindsayLackey.com to find more resources, including a downloadable discussion guide + coloring page!

 
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A bit of magic, a sprinkling of adventure, and a whole lot of heart collide in All the Impossible Things, Lindsay Lackey’s extraordinary middle-grade novel about a young girl navigating the foster care system in search of where she belongs.

Praise for All the Impossible Things:
“A gorgeous story about the joy that’s possible when we allow hope into our hearts. Wise and wondrous, this is truly a novel to cherish.”—Katherine Applegate, New York Times–bestselling author of Wishtree

★ “Lackey tackles difficult topics including addiction and loss with infinite gentleness.”—School Library Journal, starred review

“An emotional tale filled with unique characters, heartbreaking realities, and a touch of magical realism.”—Booklist

Watch more author storytimes here!

Storytime: Christian McKay Heidicker reads THIEVES OF WEIRDWOOD

Storytime: Christian McKay Heidicker reads THIEVES OF WEIRDWOOD

Christian McKay Heidicker, author of Newbery Honor Winner SCARY STORIES FOR YOUNG FOXES, reads an excerpt from his new middle grade fantasy, THIEVES OF WEIRDWOOD!

 

VIDEO: Watch Christian read an excerpt from Scary Stories for Young Foxes here.

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Praise for Thieves of Weirdwood:
“This series opener’s both funny and well paced, and the worldbuilding is fantastic..character development is splended.” —Kirkus

“With dazzling wit and enough spooky adventure for this and any alternate universe, Thieves of Weirdwood thrills to the last page. Startling, original and epic.” —Eoin Colfer, creator of Artemis Fowl

“With a good dose of comedy, a dash of self-awareness, and some riveting plot twists, this book is unique and hilarious.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Watch more author storytimes here!

Storytime: Author Paul Greci reads HOSTILE TERRITORY

Storytime: Author Paul Greci reads HOSTILE TERRITORY

Author Paul Greci reads from Hostile Territory, a thrilling YA wilderness survival story, in which a catastrophic earthquake strands four teens in the Alaskan wilderness—and leaves them without a civilization to return to.

 
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Praise for Hostile Territory:

“This fast-paced book contains all the hallmarks of a classic wilderness survival novel (deadly terrain, vicious predators, literal cliff-hangers) and the best of the postapocalyptic genre … The author’s decades of Alaskan wilderness experience is evident throughout … A great high-stakes wilderness survival tale.”—School Library Journal

“Heart-racing… A rugged wilderness lover’s post-disaster survivalist tale.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Heart-thumping suspense for readers who liked Rick Yancey’s The 5th Wave.”—Booklist

Find more author storytime videos here.

Storytime: Charles R. Smith Jr. reads BLACK JACK: THE BALLAD OF JACK JOHNSON

Storytime: Charles R. Smith Jr. reads BLACK JACK: THE BALLAD OF JACK JOHNSON

A great read-aloud for National Poetry Month! Author Charles R. Smith Jr. gives a read-aloud performance of BLACK JACK: THE BALLAD OF JACK JOHNSON, giving readers and listeners some fascinating historical insight throughout his reading.

Jack Johnson was one of the most renowned Black boxers of the twentieth century. Through hard work and persistence, he climbed the ranks, taking a swing and a jab and eventually busting the color barrier. As the first black man to win the Heavyweight Championship, there was more than a title on the line.

This beautiful picture book is an extraordinary marriage of poetry and fabulous collage artwork by Shane W. Evans.

 
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“Charles Smith’s poetry surges along, with a forceful rhythm that joins ballad and rap, as he follows ‘a mighty, fightin’ man,’ challenging the color line as well as individual opponents around the world. Shane Evans’ illustrations make Johnson’s body a monument to intelligence and power.” —Chicago Tribune

★ “This book is sure to be championed by reluctant readers with energy and restlessness just like Johnson’s, but it is a strong selection for library and classroom read-alouds as well.” —School Library Journal starred review

★ “The elegant simplicity and rat-a-tat rhythms land some stunners . . . enhanced by Evans’ lithe and swaggering artwork, which lends a tremendous visual charisma, grace, and grandeur.” —Booklist starred review

Storytime: Jonathan Stutzman & Heather Fox read LLAMA DESTROYS THE WORLD

Storytime: Jonathan Stutzman & Heather Fox read LLAMA DESTROYS THE WORLD

Join author Jonathan Stutzman and illustrator Heather Fox for MacKids Storytime, sharing one of our favorite dancing-filled read alouds, LLAMA DESTROYS THE WORLD! Grab a snack and your dancing pants, and tune in!

Tune in for new MacKids Storytime every Friday on Twitter! Watch more author storytime videos here.

 
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For even more read-aloud fun–don’t miss llama’s second laugh-out-loud adventure in LLAMA UNLEASHES THE ALPACALYPSE!

Book Round-up: Talking to Kids About Current Events

Book Round-up: Talking to Kids About Current Events

Not sure how to talk to kids about tough topics like how germs spread or why everyone seems so worried and saddened by the news? These books provide an accessible way to talk to kids about those big topics, what lessons we can learn from history, and how small acts of kindness can help their community. Plus, watch author Sarah Lynne Reul read aloud from her picture book, THE BREAKING NEWS.

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  Learn more about these books here →

Storytime: Author Dashka Slater reads from her ESCARGOT picture book + download the storytime kit!

Storytime: Author Dashka Slater reads from her ESCARGOT picture book + download the storytime kit

Watch Dashka Slater read her hilarious and magnifique picture book starring a very handsome and charming French snail, Escargot!

 
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Don’t miss Escargot’s second adventure, A Book for Escargot, in which our handsome snail hero searches for the perfect book at the library! A MacKids School & Library Staff Pick!

Download the Escargot storytime kit for activity ideas and fun facts about snails.

Author Susan Tan introduces the new Authors Everywhere Youtube Channel

Author Susan Tan introduces the new Authors Everywhere Youtube Channel

Susan Tan, author the Cilla Lee Jenkins series, introduces the new Authors Everywhere Youtube channel, starring her author and illustrator friends! Watch videos including author read-alouds, writing and illustrating workshops, writing prompts and more!

Plus, watch her read-aloud from Cilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book Is A Classic in the video below. Susan shares a writing prompt and a powerful message on how we can be there for each other and our communities during difficult times.